What does Jonathan Gannon know that Cardinals' fans do not?
By Walter Mitchell
photo credit: @azcardinals.com
Jonathan Gannon has created a media firestorm this week by stating emphatically that Drew Petzing in Santa Clara "called his best game of the season."
A day later, when asked by the media if, after watching more of the game tape, whether Jonathan Gannon would want to change anything he saw about the offensive play calling, Gannon tersely said in his strongest terms, "NO."
Meanwhile, Drew Petzing has been downplaying some of the errors the Cardinals' offense made during their bitter 16-15 loss as mistakes that sometimes happen and aren't necessarily likely to happen moving forward.
Perhaps most significantly of all, Petzing is maintaining, on his strongest terms, that Kyler Murray is doing a commendable job as the team's starting quarterback.
As Dan Bickley said on Arizona Sports Radio, Jonathan Gannon's full support of Drew Petzing and Drew Petzing's full support of Kyler Murray is "admirable cohesion at the top and no layering of blame which is something ---> and yet this offense cannot run the ball, and is averaging just 180 passing yards per game, after facing two really bad teams and a 49ers' crew decimated by injuries."
Bickley goes on to say that "and most alarming to me is that Kyler Murray ranks 30th in air yards per attempt when not under pressure which means he is bailing out on checkdowns without any defenders in his face and it suggests he is taking the easy way out way too often."
More from Bick, "some of the checkdowns work, some don't, but the net effect is a rinky-dinky offense striking little fear in defenses that creep closer and closer to the line of scrimmage ---> and my biggest fear is that Murray simply cannot see or make correct decisions in the pocket ---> the kind of quarterback than can make an OC look really bad."
Piggybacking of what Bick Said:
This is what's so frustrating about Kyler Murray. And what's so frustrating about a fan base who not only refuses to acknowledge Murray's struggles as a passer, but is eager to blame everyone else but him, especially the coaches. One local writer just wrote that Kyler is coached to throw all the absurdly redundant checkdowns. That is patently false. Ask Jonathan Gannon who knows what the intention of each play was and how frequently the plays were not executed as designed.
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Replying to @PHNX_Cardinals and @AlexDagAZ
Petzing problem with open wr that Kyler misses each game. Weird @PHNX_Cardinals does not show all 22 clips of the constant Kyler missing throws. Year 7 and let’s continue to blame everyone around the real problem 
Click here to see Jason's two video clips --- must see! On the first play, look at how wide-open Michael Wilson was on the key third down. Look at multiple wide-open receiving options on the send play.
https://x.com/FRZN_Smoke/status/1970454914208833986/photo/1
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You did a great job, Jason, of providing visual proof of Kyler's decision-making struggles. In the first 3 games, he had a chance to put each game away with, not just one, but two possessions and here were the results:
Saints:
1- 8 plays for 12 yards
2 - 3 plays for -9 yards
Panthers
1 - 9 plays 60 yards interception
2 - 3 plays for 4 yards
49ers
After Rabbit's interception
1 - 3 plays for 5 yards
After Calais' safety
2 - 5 plays for 15 yards
The pattern here with an offense that has every starter from the second half of last year, plus the key backups returning is disconcerting.
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Replying to @WBJMItch
Let’s be clear. I want to see Kyler succeed but after year 2 watching him not take that next step in reading the defense along with decision making is disheartening. It’s mind boggling to me who don’t see this on a game by game basis.
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This decision of Kyler Murray to throw into triple coverage to Tip Reiman while near the red zone was outrageously careless. And it is added proof how Kyler is just playing hot potato instead of finding the open receiver.
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angrycardsfan 
Replying to @WBJMItch
Another one. He almost got picked for throwing to a TE between linebackers instead of going to Conner on the outside all one for a nice gain or even a td. Hes not football wise. Vero low football IQ. He has to go to another team with all his bad habits included
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Fan Take: Kyler Put Team in a Position to Win Thus Team Let Kyler Down?
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You Kyler haters are freaking insufferable man. He put the team in position to win the game. The team let him down. Buzz off with this nonsense. x.com/clancyscorner/…
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1. Gannon knows what Dan Bickley senses ---- far too many of Drew Petzing's play calls are being abandoned prematurely by Kyler.
2. Petzing, as he customarily does, is quickly trying to move forward and is not comfortable offering any specific critiques of the offense, or especially of Kyler Murray or of any of his players. To boot, when asked in light of the offense's disappointing running game, whether the Cardinals miss Klayton Adams, Petzing simply said, "NO."
3. My own take is that you often don't see this kind of coaching coverup from coaches in major markets who will typically address the team's deficiencies and what the coaches and players need to do to fix them. BA, who spent years with the Steelers, was about as blunt and crass in terms of player criticism as any head coach gets, although when it came to his assistant coaches, they could never do wrong.
4. As a result, Gannon and Petzing have run the risk of further infuriating the fans which thereby is intensifying the coaches' own "hot seat" temperatures. But it is interesting that unlike Michael Bidwill, Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzing are not going to give the fans what they want to hear.
Conclusion, if struggles continue --- will it need the veteran backup QB (once again) to show how the offense should be quarterbacked "on schedule"?
Post the 7-0 start in 2021, just as it took Colt McCoy to show and remind everyone how Kliff's offense was meant to be quarterbacked "on schedule", it will likely take Jacoby Brissett to show everyone more precisely how Drew Petzing's offense is meant to be operated. Kyler's propensity to quit on plays and revert to throwing dink passes ad nauseum would make any OC look bad. This is the dink and dunk QB Kyler that has become since the Green Bay game in 2021 and is the reason why his passing yards per game have dropped from 270 per game in 2021 to 215 in 2022, to 224 in 2023, to 226 in 2024 and through 3 games this season to 180.
Do you think Gannon and Petzing could ever have the nerve?
To put it emphatically, "NO."
We've heard for years how its not Kylers fault...
ReplyDeleteIts due to...
(a) lack of personnel
(b) lack of a competent OC/HC (Kingsbury & now Petzing/Gannon)
(c) lack of O-Line
(d) lack of defense
(e) lack of run-game
While his deficiencies get no better
(a) running scared out of pocket
(b) failure to read defenses (by his own admission, he doesn't need to prepare by watching film)
(c) difficulties in throwing passes over the middle of field
(d) inaccurate throws in face of pressure
(e) 2nd half season meltdowns
(f) lack of W's
Fact:
Kyler does not pose a threat to opposing Defensive coaches, take away his run-game support and you get the scared rabbit out of his hole, the 1/50 chance he breaks one, is worth risk.
Not knowing the play that was called versus played out on field is an interesting question that really only the coaches can be aware of....But it begs question of Kylers decisions -v- Petzing/Gannon decisions. In-game decision-making is definitely "an issue" with Kyler, he often misses throws, even when he makes completion. Think of Harrisons deep passes off-target more than 50% of time (even his wide-open looks he doesn't give sufficient leading the receiver, instead receiver could be a cardboard box.
Kylers 'height' challenge is challenge, he has at least 1-3 batted balls every game.
Kylers interceptions are the most infuriating aspects of his career - Kyler has shown to be complacent with protecting the ball. When he panics it like the lights are off and a wind-a-ding-ding off it goes, where it comes down only the defense will know...(unless it is Hopkins).
Needless to say, I have been off the Kyler train for awhile now. He needed to show-up last year, he didn't. This year is more of watching the same dink/dunk wash/rinse/repeat of precious failures. I've said it before... Kyler Murray is not leading this team to playoffs, wins, or championship level play. Instead we have a mid-tier QB who is exactly what we've seen.
Excellent analysis of Kyler's struggles, Redrun. If the Cardinals do move on from him, what QB would you like to see Monti trade for, sign as a UFA or draft? I ask this to everyone here. I have a thought that everyone might be interested to hear. But I want to see whether any of you beat me to it!
DeleteMy choice for QB - would be to have a competent veteran (Brisset or Marriota would do just fine) as an interim starter (1-2yrs) and draft a QB (Manning aside, 2026 QB class supposed to be good). Let the rookie learn to cook for year one. Year 2 he gets his shot, assuming performance is up to snuff.
DeleteAfter one loss after a dismal offensive performance in 3 games, re-occurring multi season questions about playcalling are at the forefront of all opinions about this team-coaching staff, players, and FO.
DeleteWhen JG was hired he made it clear his number one job was to hire an OC who would improve the play of the QB. For whatever reason, this has not happened-PERIOD. In fact, the underperforming entitled self coached diva has regressed. It is statistically obvious that the running game has collapsed (after the running coach left) and the passing game is as lost as ever. All this with complete continuity and promises of improvement from last season.
If your OC cannot improve QB play, can't maintain an effective running game, not play call given the moment, poor 3rd conversion rate, failed red zone scoring, anemic passing attack not improving the chemistry and success of the #4 WR can't miss draft pick, he should be the hot seat and deservedly so, his ass should be on fire.
If this team gets humiliated by the Shithawks tomorrow....
Petzing get zero benefit of the doubt! Hired even though he never served as an OC, coached QBs for 6 months, never schemed any offensive game plan. He, like his HC, doesn't need or want any experienced/successful coaching help or advice and prefers to work with inexperienced coaches, just like he, who are just learning on the job.
ReplyDeleteCompare his experience and success as an OC without a winning season to the OCs in the Division.
Since:
DeleteYou can say literally the same for every coach hired by MB, Zero Experience, lack of proven track record of coaching staff from top to bottom. Yet for three years every fan has given them a pass. Saying they could see the 'culture' changes. Hogwash, what about this culture of losing is acceptable. Unfortunately, as Cardinal fans we have come to expect mediocre as success and failure as building process. Until Bidwill changes from hiring 'yes' sycophants as his coaches the Cardinals will continue their one-hundred year reign as least likely to win a championship. Even when we get a good coach, we do not make efforts keep them.
I completely agree. A coach hired by MB is nothing more than the "scapegoat in waiting."
DeleteWow, 61, we should frame that quote.
DeleteBravo fellas you’ve conveyed my exact sentiments. The yes man culture in the front office (Monti) and with the coaching staff is a losers formula. Until we bring in some dudes with balls who are given free rein to run the show without Mikey having a single Lick of a say in anything, we’ll continue to be mediocre at best.
DeleteAcross social media, fans are blaming this on DP but it's not his fault. Like I mentioned before, Kyler is still struggling with reading defenses. Great QBs have a very good idea of where the ball is and isn't going before the ball is snapped, and I don't think Kyler had the football intelligence to do it. Moreover, he doesn't go through his progressions, wait for plays to develop by stepping in the pocket, and keep his eyes down field. At the first hint of pressure, he freaks out and checks it down.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought this was him trying to avoid injury, but someone on ROTB brought up him padding his stats. What better way to keep good comp numbers then to check it down and avoid potential INTs with deep passes? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Kyler has ever been great at throwing far (except for when D-Hop repeatedly bailed him out).
With that said, for someone in the media to suggest this is by design is preposterous. The extent to which people, both fans and the media, will go to redirect all criticism away from Kyler is wild. This is especially prevalent with the PHNX boys. I mean, if mental gymnastics was an Olympic sport, they would be great additions.
In conclusion, if there hasn't been improvement by the bye, I'm fine with rolling with JB. There is no doubt in my mind that we'll then see DP's play calling flourish. I'm also willing to bet that the playbook will open up and include more deep passes. Anyone else notice that, during preseason and in practice, DP had JB throwing deep but not Kyler?
You make great points 85, but someone has to answer for for an offense without FA and draft improvements in the name of continuity \and improvement from last year that has regressed in all metrics:
DeletePassing attack worse
running attack worse
3rd down conversion worse
red zone scoring worse
offensive line play worse
time of possession worse
scoring when they need to score noon existent
player growth and improvement worse
player confidence worse
All summed up in the play confidence and impactful of MHJ
I’ve made dozens of nuanced posts explaining Murray’s shortcomings and had to pull my support for him for good a few games into last season. He needs to go. Before this trade deadline woukd be great but I know Monti and Mikey won’t have the balls to do it.
ReplyDeleteMonti and Mikey made a big mistake in not ending Shedeur Sanders precipitous fall, grabbing him in the 3rd or 4th and letting him compete in earnest. Of course they were too scared of Deion to make such a pick. I even said I’d have celebrated drafting Dart at 16 so I’ll be watching his performance closely moving forward. I threw Daniel Jones out as a stop gap option to come
Im and
compete as he’s always reminded me of Flacco when he’s been at his best. Aaron Rodgers would’ve been an interesting option. Just bring in someone
to compete!!!! Keim and Kliff lost their jobs putting Murray on a pedestal and this regime is
heading in the same direction. The comedic thing is the composite OL pass protection ratings between ESPN,pff and one other site has the Cards no2 in the entire league currently. Have I seen
No2 in the league quality pass protection? No. However I have seen more than adequate pass protection that Murray makes a mockery of.
Why did Monti spend an early 5th in his first draft on a developmental qb and then abandon that philosophy? Can’t answer that but he shouldn’t have.
Bottom line is we need to cut the cord on Murray and live with whatever he does when he
Moves on, well who cares. He’s not cutting
It here. Find someone without the perplexing deficiencies and you’ll see a better offense, even if he’s not as fast as Kyler. He’s scared to use his legs consistently anyhow.